Split biopsy needle



March 30, 1965 R. A. STEWART 3,175,554

SPLIQT BIOPSY NEEDLE IIIIIIIIIIIIVII INVENTOR. L Zaaaer A .vz/vner BY32/ 3Z March 30, 1965 R. A. STEWART 3,175,554

7 SPLIT BIOPSY NEEDLE Filed March 26, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

March 30, 1965 R. A. STEWART SPLIT BIOPSY NEEDLE I -M w M M fi n F F/a.1E Q VENTOR- 05587 United States Patent M 3,175,554 SPLIT BIOPSY NEEDLERobert A. Stewart, Westwood, N.J., assignor to Becton Dickinson andCompany, East Rutherford, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar.26, 1963, Ser. No. 268,152 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-2) This invention relatesto an improved split biopsy needle.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved split biopsyneedle which is so designed and constructed that the needle will spreadwhen inserted in soft tissue and so that the needle will contract to cutand trap a biopsy when the needle is withdrawn from the tissue.

A further object is the provision of an improved biopsy needle of theabove type which is of relatively simple and inexpensive constructionand which is so designed as to insure positive cutting and trapping ofthe biopsy as the needle is withdrawn from the tissue.

My invention contemplates the provision of an improved split biopsyneedle which is adapted to be inserted through an outer needle into thesoft tissue where the biopsy is to be taken. The outer end of the biopsyneedle is bifurcated and is provided with a pair of tabs projectingtowards each other from diametrically opposite sides of the split needleat an angle away from the bifurcated end. As the needle is inserted intosoft tissue, the bifurcated end spreads; as the needle is withdrawn theend is contracted bringing the tabs into engagement with each other soas to cut and trap a biopsy.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a complete biopsy set including a split biopsy needleembodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the upper portionof the outer needle having the fitted stylet inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view in the direction of the arrows onthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion ofthe split needle having a stylet in.- serted therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the lower portion of the outerneedle having the fitted stylet inserted therein;

FIG. 6 is a detailed longitudinal View partially in section at rightangles to FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows on the line 6-6 of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal detailed view of the lower portion of the splitneedle having a stylet inserted therein;

FIG. 8 is a detailed longitudinal view partially in section at rightangles to FIG. 7 in the direction of the arrows on the line 8-8 of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a detailed longitudinal view partially in section of the lowerportion of the outer needle inserted in soft tissue with the fittedstylet being withdrawn;

FIG. 10 is a similar detailed sectional view of the lower portion of theouter needle inserted in soft tissue with the split needle beinginserted therethrough;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the split needle shown asinserted into the soft tissue beyond the outer needle and with thebifurcated end of the split needle being spread apart; and

FIG. 12 is a similar detailed sectional view showing the split needlebeing withdrawn from the tissue into the 3,175,554 Patented Mar. 30,1965 outer needle and with the biopsy cut and retained in the splitneedle.

FIG. 1 shows a biopsy needle set including a split biopsy needleembodying my invention thus the numeral 15 represents the outer needlewhich is inserted into the tissue to the required depth and throughwhich the split needle is inserted in order to take the biopsy. Theunmeral 16 illustrates a fitted stylet to be assembled inside the outerneedle as it is inserted into the tissue. The numeral 17 shows myimproved split needle and the numeral 18 shows a stylet for insertioninside the split needle.

My invention is concerned with the construction of the split needle 17and the split needle may be used with an outer needle and stylets ofknown design.

The outer needle 15 comprises a cannula 2% pointed at its lower end asshown at 21. A suitable hub 22 is secured to the upper end of the outerneedle as by solder. The hub 22 is preferably provided with a fittingsuch as the Luer fitting 23 whereby the needle may be supported in asuitable needle mounting.

The outer needle 15 is slightly larger in diameter than the split needle17 so that the split needle 17 may be inserted therethrough, also it isslightly shorter in length so that the split needle may be projectedbeyond the pointed end of the outer needle to penetrate the tissue whereit is desired to obtain the biopsy.

Fitted stylet 16 is of a diameter to snugly fit in outer needle 20. Itis formed of solid stock and is provided at its lower end with a point24 conforming with the point 21 of the needle. The upper end of thefitted stylet is provided with a handle portion 25 having a hub 26 whichwill fit within the fitting 23 at the upper end of the outer needle.

When the fitted stylet is inserted in the outer needle it fits snuglytherein With the hub 26 engaged in the fitting 23 and with the pointedend 24 closing the pointed end 21 of the needle. Suitable means areprovided in order to maintain the points 24 and 21 in proper registryand alignment when the parts are thus assembled together. For thispurpose I provide a small notch 27 in the flange of the fitting 23. Ialso provide a small projecting lug 28 on the side of the hub 26 beneaththe handle portion 25. The lug may be formed by blanking out a smallportion of the flange of the lower portion of handle 25 and displacingit downwardly as shown. The lug 28 and the notch 27 are formed in properalignment with each other so that when the fitted stylet and the outerneedle are assembled together in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 thelug may be inserted in notch 27 with the result that the point of thestylet will be in proper alignment with the point of the needle as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6.

The split biopsy needle 17 consists of an elongated cylindrical tubeslightly smaller in diameter than the outer needle 15 so that it may beinserted therethrough. It is also of greater length so that the lowerend thereof may be projected beyond the lower end of the outer needle topenetrate the tissue from which the biopsy is to be taken.

The split needle is formed of two semi-cylindrical sections 3l extendingat least for a portion of the length of the needle to the lower endthereof. In the illustrated embodiment the two semi-cylindrical sectionsextend for the entire length of the needle and they form two complement'ary halves. Each section has a pair of edges which FIG. 10.

normally engage each other for the entire length of the needle to ashort distance from the lower end thereof. At the lower end of eachsemi-cylindrical section the two edges are disposed at an angle as shownat 31. In other words the two edges of each section converge towardseach other and diverge away from the edges of the other section as shownmost clearly in FIGS. 1 and 8 forming a bifurcated end portion of thesplit needle terminating in points 32 at the center of the peripheraledge of each section;

The upper end of the split needle is provided with a suitable handleportion 33 having depending hub sections 34; and 35 which engage withinthe fitting 23 and hub 22 of the outer needle when the split biopsyneedle is assembled therewith.

When the split biopsy needle is projected beyond the outer needle intosoft tissue the bifurcated ends of the split needle particularly theangularly disposed edges 31 cause the two ends of the split needle tospread apart as shown in FIG. 11. To help in this action and also inorder to cut off and retain the biopsy within the split needle I provideeach of these sections with an angularly disposed tab 38. The tabs arespaced a short distance from the lower bifurcated end of the needle.They are formed by being blanked out of the side wall of each needlesection and they are then deformed inwardly and upwardly at an angleextending away from the pointed end of the needle and towards eachother.

When the end of the needle is contracted with the side edges of the twosections in engagement with each other, the end edges of the tabs aresimilarly in engagement with each other.

Thus it will be seen that when the end of the split needle is projectedbeyond the outer needle into soft tissue the angularly disposed sideedges 31 of the needle sections and the angularly disposed tabs 38perform a -camming action causing the two ends of the needle to divergeor spread as shown in FIG. 11. Thereafter when the split needle isretracted back into the outer needle as shown in FIG. 12 theconstricting action of the outer needle together with the camming actionof the upper faces of the tabs 38 cause the two ends of the split needleto contract into engagement with each other. The tabs 33 will thenengage each other and cut ofi the .tissue and retain the biopsy withinthe split needle.

A stylet 18 may also be provided for the split needle. The stylet is inthe form of a solid rod of a diameter -to fit within the split needleand of a length to extend .to a short distance above the tabs 38. Thestylet is provided with a suitable handle 4t) at its upper endhaving asmall depending hub 4-1.

It will be understood that the handle 33 and depending hub portion haveabore or opening extending therethrough communicating with the interiorof the split needle. The stylet 18 may be assembled therewith by thetissue by means of a trocar or may be made directly by the outer needlehaving the fitted stylet therein. When the end of the outer needle hasbeen inserted to the point where it is desired to obtain the biopsy thefitted stylet is then removed from the outer needle, as shown in FIG. 9.

Thereafter, the split needle either with or without stylet l8 assembledtherewith is inserted through the outer needle until the bifurcatedlower end of the split needle is adjacent the point of the outer needleas shown in If the ,stylet' has been assembled with the split needle itis then removed. Thereafter the split needle is further inserted throughthe outer needle to cause the bifurcated lower end to penetrate into theflesh or tissue from which it is desired to obtain the biopsy as shownin FIG. 11. The camming action resulting from the angularly disposededges 31 and from the tabs 38 causes the lower end of the split needleto spread apart, also as shown in FIG. 11, so that tissue is disposedbetween the split endof the needle.

Thereafter, the split biopsy needle is withdrawn back into the outerneedle in the manner shown in FIG. 12. The compressive force exerted bythe outer needle on the split biopsy needle together with the cammingaction of the upper surfaces of the tabs 38 cause the lower end of thesplit needle to contract into engagement with each other.Simultaneously, the upper edges of the tabs 38 shift into engagementwith each other so as to sever or cut the tissue and trap the biopsywithin the split needle. The split needle can then be withdrawn and thebiopsy subjected to examination in the usual manner.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved split biopsyneedle of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and which wheninserted through the outer needle into the tissue will spread so as toenvelop a portion of the tissue. Upon withdrawal the ends of the needlewill be drawn together so as to sever the tissue .and trap and retain abiopsy within the split needle.

It should be understood of course that modifications may be made in theillustrated and described embodiment ,of my invention without departingfrom the invention as .set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

- V 1. A split biopsy needle comprising an elongated tubular to form abifurcated end provided with two points respectively on the outerperipheries of said sections and with each of said sections being formedwith tabs adjacent the points with the opposite faces of both tabsprojecting at an angle away from the points into engagement with eachother, said angularly disposed tabs having their upper edges formed at arelatively sharp acute angle to provide means for cutting the biopsy assaid split biopsy needle is withdrawn, said angularly disposed portionsof the edges of the sections and said tabs serving as cams to spreadsaid sections as the needle is inserted and said tabs serving to bringsaid sections into engagement and to cut and hold the biopsy as theneedle is withdrawn.

2. A split biopsy needle for insertion through an outer hollow needleinto soft tissue for the purpose of taking a biopsy specimen whichcomprises: an elongated tubular needle of smaller diameter than saidouterneedle and of greater length so that it can be projected throughthe outer needle to project beyond the end thereof, said biopsy needlehaving a handle portion at one end and being split longitudinally intotwo complementary semicylindrical sections at least for a portion of itslength and extending to its opposite end, with said section being eachformed with a pair of longitudinal edges which engage the edges of theother section except at the opposite end, and with said edges on eachsection being disposed at an angle and converging towards each other anddiverging from the edges of the other section adjacent said opposite endto form a bifurcatedend provided with two points respectively on theouter peripheries of said sections and with each of said sections beingformed with a tab adjacent the point with the opposite faces of the taband projecting at an angle away from the point into engagement with thetab on the other section, said angularly disnosed tabs having theirupper edges formed at a relatively sharp acute angle to provide meansfor cutting the biopsy as said split biopsy needle is withdrawn fromsaid hollow tube, said singularly disposed portions of the edges of thesections and said tabs serving as cams to spread said sections as theneedle is inserted in tissue beyond the end of the outer needle and saidtabs and outer needle serving to bring said sections and tabs intoengagement with each other and to cut and hold the biopsy as the needleis withdrawn from the tissue into the outer needle.

3. A split bioosy needle as set forth in claim 2 in which said tabs areformed from the material of the side wall of the sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,219,605 10/40Turkel "128-2 3,001,522 9/61 Silverman "128-2 LOUIS R. PRINCE, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A SPLIT BIOPSY NEEDLE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR NEEDLE HAVING AHANDLE PORTION AT ONE END AND SPLIT LONGITUDINALLY INTO TWOCOMPLEMENTARY SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SECTIONS AT LEAST FOR A PORTION OF ITSLENGTH AND EXTENDING TO ITS OPPOSITE END, WITH SAID SECTIONS BEING EACHFORMED WITH A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL EDGES WHICH ENGAGE THE EDGES OF THEOTHER SECTION EXCEPT AT THE OPPOSITE END, AND WITH SAID EDGES ON EACHSECTION BEING DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE CONVERGING TOWARDS EACH OTHER ANDDIVERGING FROM THE EDGES OF THE OPPOSITE SECTION ADJACENT SAID OPPOSITEEND TO FORM A BIFURCATED END PROVIDED WTH TWO POINTS RESPECTIVELY ON THEOUTER PERIPHERIES OF SAID SECTIONS AND WITH EACH OF SAID SECTIONS BEINGFORMED WITH TABS ADJACENT THE POINTS WITH THE OPPOSITE FACES OF BOTHTABS PROJECTING AT AN ANGLE AWAY FROM THE POINTS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITHEACH OTHER, SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED TABS HAVING THEIR UPPER EDGES FORMEDAT A RELATIVELY SHARP ACUTE ANGLE TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR CUTTING THEBIOPSY AS SAID SPLIT BIOPSY NEEDLE IS WITHDRAWN, SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSEDPORTIONS OF THE EDGES OF THE SECTIONS AND SAID TABS SERVING AS CAMS TOSPREAD SAID SECTIONS AS THE NEEDLE IS INSERTED AND IS TABS SERVING TOBRING SAID SECTIONS INTO ENGAGEMENT AND TO CUT AND HOLD THE BIOPSY ASTHE NEEDLE IS WITHDRAWN.